Automatic glass generating machine



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AUTOMATIC GLASS GENERATING MACHINE Filed July 7, 1954 8 Sheets-Sheet 3INVENTOR ATTORNEYS March 22, 1955 P. DE v. D'AVAUCOURT 2,704,425

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A'ITOR NEYS March 22, 1955 P. DE v. D'AVAUCOURT 2,704,425

AUTOMATIC. cuss GENERATING MACHINE Filed July 7, 1954 8 Sheets-Sheet 8i-mum INVENTOR [def/e delily Mvmzarl,

W ATTORNEYJF means AUTOMATIC GLASS GENERATING MACHINE Pierre do WhydAvauconrt, Bainbrldge, Pa. Application July 1, 1954, Serial No. 441,893

Claims. (Cl. 51-131 This invention relates to an automatic generatingmachine and is concerned more particularly with a machine for generatingsurfaces on lens blanks and the like.

In my prior application Serial No. 752,115, filed June 3, 1947, nowPatent 2,616,226, dated November 4, 1952, and entitled Method andApparatus for Abrading, there is disclosed a machine for generatingsurfaces on lens blanks including mechanism to adjust the position ofthe lap spindle with respect to the work holder spindle in threedifferent planes. The present invention includes this type of grindingmachine although the invention is not limited thereto.

In my application filed July 28, 1952, entitled Apparatus for Abading,Serial No. 301,334, of which this application is a continuation-in-part,there is disclosed a semi-automatic machine for grinding lens blanks andthe like which includes means for automatically moving the lap spindlewith respect to the work holder spindle to bring the lap into properoperating relationship with respect to a workpiece held in theworkholder chuck carried by the spindle. This application also includesan automatic arrangement for stopping the rotation of the lens 1holderspindle and picking the lens from the lens chuc The present invention isillustrated as incorporating all of the features and structure of mysaid prior applications and reference may be had thereto for a clearerunderstanding of this application, but it is to be understood that thisapplication is not limited to such prior structures but may be used withmachines of other types.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a machine which willbe substantially fully automatic in operation. The machine is designedto deliver lens blanks from a magazine or stacker onto the lens chuck,automatically generate the desired surface on the lens blank and reducethe blank to the proper thickness. It also automatically picks theground lens from the lens chuck and automatically discharges the same.The essential features of the present invention may be said to reside infirst, a blank feeding or delivery mechanism; second, an automatic lenspicking and discharging mechanism; and third, a control mechanism forenergizing the various operations in sequence and in a fully automaticmanner. Another object of the present invention is to provide automaticmeans for performing a series .of sequential operations upon initialactuation of the machine, with the completion of the last of saidoperations again initiating the sequence regardless of the time intervalbetween operations.

A further object is to provide means for feeding lens blanks only aftera previous lens has been ground and removed from the lens chuckregardless of the time required for such grinding and dischargingoperations.

Still another object is to provide lens feeding means which is broughtinto operation by movement of the grinding spindle to its retractedposition away from the lens chuck.

A further object is to provide an improved lens blank feeding mechanismin which the blanks are fed one at a time to the lens chuck where thelens is positively forced downwardly onto the chuck to insure its propermountmg.

An additional object is to provide a lens feeding means in which themeans for forcing the lens downwardly onto the chuck is moved out of thepath of movement of the lens blank during initial feeding stages so thataccurate feed is obtained.

Patented 22, 1955 Another object is to provide a detachable lensmagazine or stacker which is so mounted that it may rock away from itsbase so as to permit concavo-convex lenses to be fed therefromaccurately one by one.

Further objects include a safety switch operable by the lens picker inthe event of the sticking of a lens blank; means for releasing a lensfrom the picker and conveying means for receiving the released lens andconveying it to a point of discharge.

Other objects and advantages will be evident as the description proceedsand it is to be understood that changes in size, shape and other detailsmay be resorted to so long as they fall within the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims.

In order that the, invention may be more readily understood, anembodiment thereof will be described in conjunction with the attacheddrawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a lens grinding machine embodyingthe features of the present invention,

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 taken from the opposite side of themachine and showing part of the control arrangement,

Fig. 3 is a. detail perspective view illustrating the lens feedingmechanism,

Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view showing the lens blank magazine orstacker and the feeding shuttle associated therewith,

Figs. 5, 6, 7, and 8 are diagrammatic views illustrating the sequence ofoperations of the lens feeder,

Fig. 8a is a top view of a portion of the feeding mechanism showingprincipally the slide or shuttle arrangement and the mounting tabletherefor,

Fig. 9 is a side elevation, partially broken away, illustrating aportion of the control mechanism,

Fig. 10 is a detail view illustrating a safety control switch for thelens picker mechanism,

Fig. 11 is a top view illustrating the mode of mounting the controlswitches on the main frame of the mechani shown in Fig. 9,

Fig. 12 is a rear elevation, partly in section, illustrating thetripping arrangement for the air control of Fig. 9,v

. in erspective,

Fig. 15 is a rear view of the lens picker,

Fig. 16 is a detail view showing the lens releasing means for the lenspicker,

Fig. 17 is a diagram of the fluid circuits employed,

Fig. 18 is a similar view of the wiring system,

Fig. 19 is a perspective diagrammatic view showing the mounting of amodified form of control mechanism,

Fig. 20 is a side elevational view partly broken away, showing themodified control,

Fig. 21 is a top plan view of the arrangement shown in Fig. 20, and

Fig. 22 is an end elevation of Fig. 21.

The lens blank feeding mechanism Referring in detail to the drawings, itwill be seen particularly in Figs. 1 and 2, that the machine illustratedis in general the same as that disclosed in my above mentionedapplication including a rotating lens chuck 10 surrounded by a reservoir11, a reciprocating lap spindle 12 carrying a lap 13 and a power unit 14for reciprocating the grinding spindle under the control of a startinglever 15. It is also shown as being provided with a brake 16 for thelens chuck spindle, a lens picker 17 operated through piston andcylinder arrangement -18 and a coolant supply 19, all as shown in myapplication filed July 28, 1952, Serial No. 301,334.

In said application the lens blanks were manually placed upon the lenschuck and when removed therefrom by the lens picker, it was necessary toremove the lens from the picker by hand, whereas the present casediffers in that both operations are completely automatic and no manualoperations are required except loading the lens magazine or stacker andstarting the machine in operation.

The lens-feeding mechanism is shown in Figs. 3 to 8a inclusive. In thedrawings the lens blanks have been removed from the magazine or stackerof the machine in order to facilitate illustration of the variouscomponent parts of the apparatus.

A single lens blank 20 is shown in a position about to be delivered tothe lens chuck 10 of the machine. The device comprises a base or tablemember 21. Mounted for sliding movement over the table 21 is a shuttle22 which is provided at its forward end 23 with a projecting portionformed to the contour of the lens blank to be fed. The shuttle 22 isactuated by an air cylinder and piston arrangement 23' which is rigidlymounted in the framework of the feeder. Piston rod 24 of the aircylinder and piston arrangement 23 is attached to the shuttle 22 by afastening 25. The piston rod 24 of air cylinder and piston arrangement23 is movable in two directions and is controlled in its operation by apair of magnetic valves, the operation of which will be more fullydescribed hereinafter. A second air cylinder and piston arrangement 26is pivotally mounted on the table 21 over the unit 23'. the same beingpivoted as indicated at 27 in Fig. 3. There are a pair of supportingarms 28 which extend upwardly from the table 21 and receive the pivotsfor the unit 26. The air cylinder and piston arrangement 26 carries areciprocating pusher mechanism generally indicated by the numeral 29which includes also an arrangement for applying axial pressure to thelens blank 20 as the same is delivered to the lens chuck 10. This isprovided in order that the blank 20 may be brought into firm engagementwith the chuck and assist in obtaining a good capillary" bond betweenthe blank and the chuck as disclosed in my prior application filed July28. 1952, Serial No. 301,334 referred to above.

The pusher mechanism 29 is shown in elevated position in solid lines inFig. 3 and in lowered position in dotted lines in that view. The pushermechanism 29 includes a generally rectangularly shaped frame 30 which issecured by fastening 31 to the piston rod 32 of the piston and cylinderarrangement 26. At the forward end of the frame 30 there is provided afeeding finger holder 33 which is fastened by means of a screw 34 to anextension which projects forwardly of the frame 30. Mountedon the holder33 are a pair of diverging spring steel fingers 35 which are adapted toengage the peripheral edge of the blank 20 at spaced points on thecircumference thereof to deliver the blank from the position shown inFig. 3 into the lens chuck 10. By providing the fingers 35 of springsteel they will tend to override a lens blank should the same becomelodged in the machine through accident. In order to properly positionthe blank 20 and prevent it from becoming misaligned due to vibration ofthe machine or other causes, a fixed guide 36 and a leaf spring guide 37are positioned to engage the peripheral edge of the blank as the same isdelivered to the position shown in Fig. 3 by the shuttle 22 and fromsuch position into the lens chuck 10 by the pusher mechanism 29.

The feed arrangement which delivers the blank from the position shown inFig. 3 into the chuck is arranged'so that the same may be disposed outof the path of the oncoming lens blank during the initial feeding cycleby the shuttle 22. This is accomplished by providing means for elevatingthe piston and cylinder arrangement 26 and the associated pushermechanism frame 30 which carries the feeding finger holder 33 and thefingers 35, such elevation being effected upon forward movement of thepiston rod 34 of the cylinder and piston arrangement 23'. A wear plate38 is secured to the lower surface of the air cylinder and pistonarrangement 26 and this is engaged by a projecting lifter 39 provided onthe shuttle 22 (Figs. 3 and 4) and projecting upwardly into engagementwith the wear plate 38. As seen in Fig. 3 the air cylinder and pistonarrangement 26 and pusher mechanism 29 are normally inclined downwardlyto the plane of the base 21 so that rectilinear movement of the lifter39 will cause the pusher mechanism 29 and air cylinder and pistonarrangement 26 to swing about the pivot 27 ad remove the spring fingers35 out of the path of the oncoming lens blank. This arrangement isdiagrammatically shown in Figs. to 8.

It will be observedfrom Figs. 3 to 6 that in initial posipoint.

tion with the piston rod ,24 retracted, the lens feeding finger holder33 and the fingers 35 will be in lowered position (Fig. 5). As thesecond step of the operation is effected and the piston rod 24 moves toits outermost position as shown in Fig. 6, the lens blank 20 will bemoved into position as shown in Fig. 3 by the shuttle 22 for subsequentengagement between feeding fingers 35. Simultaneously, the air cylinderand piston arrangement 26 will be swung about the pivot points 27 byengagement of the lifter 39 with the wear plate 38 and the fingers 35will be elevated out of the path of movement of the blank. Upon returnof the piston rod 24 to the fully retracted position as shown in Fig. 7,the cylinder and piston arrangement 26 will pivot to a lower positionwith the fingers 35 lying in engagement with the periphery of the blank20 or closely adjacent thereto, ready to deliver the blank onto thechuck 10. Thereupon air is supplied to the cylinder and pistonarrangement 26 and as shown in Fig. 8, upon movement of the piston to anextended position, the lens blank 20 is moved from the supporting table21 onto the chuck 10 and due to the inclination of the pusher mechanism29, a downward component of force is applied to the blank, effective forbringing the lens blank into firm engagement with the chuck which iswetted with water and provided therein with a layer of resilientmaterial such as rubber or other similar abrasion resistant andresilient material as shown in my previous application. In place ofwater, the conventional oil coolant which is supplied in the grinding oflenses will wet the chuck surfaces adequately to obtain the desired bondbetween the lens blank and the chuck.

The cylinder and piston arrangement 26 is controlled so as to supply airto the cylinder and move the piston to extended position. Return motionof the piston is effected through a pair of springs 40 which are securedto the framework of pusher mechanism 29 and to the extending arms 28,one of which may be seen in Fig. 3.

The lens magazine or stacker The arrangement for holding a plurality oflens blanks in properly aligned position is shown in Fig. 4. It includesa plate member 41 provided with a central opening 42 through which alens blank of the proper size may pass. Four guiding posts 43 projectupwardly from the plate 41 and position the lens blanks in properorientation relative to the opening 42 for delivery, one at a time.through the opening 42 and into the path of movement of the shuttle 22.The shuttle is shown in its extended position in Fig. 4, assumed to havefed a lens blank from the magazine. The plate member 41 is positioned onthe table 21 by means of two machine screws 44 and 45 which are providedwith reduced pin points 46 which are adapted to be received withinenlarged openings 47 prm vided in the base or table 21. Adequateclearance is provided between the points 46 and the walls of theopenings 47 in the base member 21 to permit slight rocking movement ofthe support 41 about the points 46 as the fulcrum The forward end of theplate member 41 is mounted in an adjustable position with respect to thetable 21 by a pair of adjusting screws 47 and 48 which may be locked inposition by means of set screws 49. The screws 47' and 48 rest on theupper surface of the base 21 and may be adjusted to position the plate41 so that a single lens blank may pass freely between the base 21 andthe plate member 41.

In order to provide for a slight upward rocking motion of the supportingmember 41 allowed by the pin points 46, a pair of springs 50 and 51(Fig. 3) are secured to posts 52 and 53 which are fixed to the sides ofthe table 21. The springs 50 and 51 are received within slotted openingsprovided in the upper ends of the forward pair of posts 43 as best shownin Fig. 3 and with this arrangement a slight tilting motion of theforward end of the supporting member 41 is permitted, the member 41normally being urged to its at rest position with the screws 47 and 48in engagement with the table 21 and being yieldingly held in thisposition by the springs 50 and 51. The posts 52 and 53 lie within theframe 30 and serve the added function of guiding the frame 30 in itsreciprocating movement imparted thereto by the piston rod 32.

Although the weight of the piston and cylinder arrangement 26 and itsassociated pusher mechanism 29 may be sufficient to normally hold themin their lowered position, better control of pressure is obtained byusing a sprin and to this end it is preferable to,provide a spring 4which is connected between angle bracket 55 extending between the arms28 and the plate 38; secured to the piston and cylinder arrangement 26.This spring will serve to apply a predetermined downward force to thelens blank as the same is positioned in the chuck by the fingers 35.

An arrangement which is provided for adjusting the position of the lensfeeding mechanism with respect to the work-holding chuck is shown inFig. 3. The table 21 is mounted as shown in Fig. 1 in a trough 56extending from the lens chuck spindle reservoir 11. A stud 57 18 shownin Fig. 3 and this passes through the bottom wall of the base 21 and ofthe trough and secures the table 21 to the trough. This permits thewhole lens feeding mechanism to be swung horizontally about the stud 57as a pivot to align the feeding mechanism with the axis of the lenschuck 10.

In order that this adjustment may be accurately etfected by more minuteadjustment, machine screws 58 (one 15 shown in Fig. 80) passes through abracket 59 mounted on the trough 56 and which are threaded into the sideof the mounting table 21. The machine screws 58 are provided with anoperating head 60 by means of which the screw may be adjusted to controlthe swinging movement of the table 21.

It is also desirable to provide for elevation and lowering of thesupporting table 21 to bring the same into proper vertical alignmentwith respect to the upper edge of the lens chuck 10. This may beaccomplished by a pair of threaded studs 61 threaded into the lowerportion of the base 21 and held against free rotation by spring fingers62 as shown in Fig. 8a. By rotating the stud 61, it is possible to raiseor lower the forward edge of the table since these studs 61 are againstthe bottom of the trough 56 and limited vertical motion is possible byreason of the fact that the stud 57 is provided with a resilient washerdisposed between the head of the stud 57 and the lower portion of thetable 21 as diagrammatically shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 8a also shows the locating holes for the stacker which have beennumbered 47 and which are the openings into which the adjusting screws44 and 45 are received, the pin points 46 passing freely into the holes47 and the shoulder of each screw above the pointed end engaging thebase member surrounding the openings 47.

As' may be clearly seen from Fig. 8a, an opening 63 is provided in thebase table 21 at its forward end through which may pass a conduit 64 forthe delivery of coolant to the lens blank and to the lap during thegrinding operation. It will be noted that the forward edge 65 of thetable 21 is contoured so as to )verlie the edge of the chuck and fullysupport the lens blank until the moment of delivery to the chuck. Thetable is, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 8a, provided with abevelled surface 66 which corresponds generally to the bevel on the topedge of the lens chuck 10.

The speed of return motion of the piston rod 32 and feeding deviceassociated with it, is controlled by an adjustable check valve 67provided on the cylinder and piston arrangement 26 as shown in Fig. 3.

Control arrangement for lens blank feeder As disclosed in my applicationSerial No. 301,334, an air manifold is employed from which conduitsextend to the lens chuck brake cylinder and to the lens picker cylinder.In the present application, this same manifold is utilized but it is,provided with two additional conduits 68 and 69 (Fig. 1), the first ofwhich conducts fluid under pressure to the lens feed air cylinder andpiston arrangement 26 and the other to the shuttle operating aircylinder and piston arrangement 23 as will be further described.

The control arrangement for the lens feeder is shown in Figs. 9 and 11to 13 inclusive. It comprises essentially an air motor 70 with ahydro-check-in-line. This air motor is of conventional constructionwhich can be readily obtained in the open market and the details ofwhich, with the exception of the cams, form no part of the presentinvention. The air motor 70 includes a pair of pistons 70 and 71 carriedby a piston rod 72. The pistons 70 and -71 are mounted in cylinders 73and the supply of air for operation of the pistons 70 and 71 iscontrolled by a multiple magnetic valve 74.

As previously mentioned, starting actuation of power unit 14 iscontrolled by a micro-switch actuated by manually controlled lever(Fig. 1) which is the same as that disclosed in my application filedJuly 28, 1952,

Serial No. 301,334. A second automatically controlled micro-switch 75 isprovided on the machine as shown in Figs. 1 and 13 and is arranged to beactuated by a trip arrangement 94 secured to a threaded rod 75' attachedto the lap spindle and movable in a vertical direction with saidspindle, said threaded member being clearly shown in Fig. 6 111 theabove mentioned prior application filed July 28, 1952, Serial No.301,334.

Mounted on a supporting plate 76 attached to the machine below thecylinder 73 are three micro-switches 77, 78 and 79 as shown in Fig. 11.These switches are mounted on the member 76 so as to be adjustablelongitudinally with respect thereto to predetermine the precise positronof actuation of the various switches. Adjustably mounted on the pistonrod 72 are a pair of spring biased one-way tripping fingers 80 and 81.The tripper 80 is adapted to engage the contact controlling arms 82 and83 of the two switches 77 and 78 as shown in Figs. 9 and 11. The tripper81 is adapted to actuate the control member 84 of the micro-switch 79.The switches 77 and 78 are electrically connected to magnetic valves 85and 86 of the piston and cylinder arrangement 23' for the shuttle 22.Thus, when the tripper 80 engages the control 82 of switch 77, themagnetic valve 85 will be opened and the shuttle 22 will be moved todeliver a lens blank from the magazine to the position shown in Fig. 3.As movement of piston rod 22 continues, the tripper 80 will come intocontact with control 83 of the switch 78 and this will in turn energizethe magnetic valve 86 for piston and cylinder arrangement and the piston24 thereof will be moved to a retracted position, carrying the shuttle20 to the position as shown in Fig. 7. As further movement of the piston72 of air motor 20 to the right in Fig. 9 is effected, spring biasedone-way valve tripper 87 will engage the control arm 88 of the air valve89. The valve 89 controls a supply of air from the source S throughappropriate piping to the piston and cylinder arrangement 26 whichcontrols the lens blank feeder or pusher mechanism. When air is suppliedto the piston '01 the piston and cylinder arrangement 26, the feedingfingers 35 engage the lens blanks 20 and move the same from the positionshown in Fig. 7 to that shown in Fig. 8. As further movement of thepiston rod 72 is effected (Fig. 9), the terminal end 90 engages amicro-switch 91 carried by the support 76, which switch controls thesecond magnetic valve 92 of the air motor 70 and the piston 72 isretracted to the position shown in Fig. 9. The hydraulic check includesan adjustable release valve 92 which controls the speed of movement ofthe pistons 70 and 71.

Prior to the completion of the return motion of the piston rod 72, thetripper 81 will come into engagement with the control arm 84 of themicro-switch 79 which controls one side of a pair of magnetic valves 93(Fig. 1), which in turn, control the operation of the air motor powerunit 14 which, through a rack and pinion arrange-.

Lens picker control arrangement With a fully automatic machine where thelens blanks are delivered one at a time to the lens chuck and thisfeeding operation follows the removal of a previously finished lens, itis desirable to provide an automatic arrangement for picking and alsodischarging the lenses upon the completion of the grinding operation.

Such an arrangement is shown in Figs. -14 to 16 inclusive. Thisarrangement includes a mounting post 95 secured to the base of thereservoir 11. A mounting block 96 is adjustably secured to the mountingpost 95 by a screw 97. The operating shaft 98 of the lens picker passesthrough the mounting block 96 and is journalled for rotation therein.Mounted on the operating shaft 98 is the lens picker holder 99 and aclamping plate 100. The holder 99 and the clamping plate 100 partiallyencircle the operating shaft 98 and are held in firm engagementtherewith by screws 101. A control plate 102 is loosely mounted on themounting plate 99 by a. pair of screws 103 which are threaded into themounting plate 99 and pass freely through openings in the control plate102. As shown in Fig. 16 the control plate 102 carries a resilientsealing member 104 which is adapted to lie in engagement with a bushing105 which is threaded into the plate 99 and into which is screwed afastener 106 embedded in the suction cup 107 so that the suction cup ismounted on the plate 99.

When the parts are in position shown in Fig. 16, the opening 108 whichextends through the center of the suction cup 107, the bushing 105 andthe member 106 is closed by the resilient sealing pad 104. This is theposition the parts assume during the lens picking operation. Thus, whenthe suction cup 107 is brought down into engagement with the lens blankwhich is in the chuck 10. suction is created which is efiective forholding the lens blank against the suction cup 107. As the operatingshaft 98 is rotated the control plate 102 is brought into engagementwith the eccentrically mounted screw 97 and this causes the plate 102 tobe rocked about the screws 103 and a spring 109 which is interposedbetween the control plate 102 and the mounting plate 99 is compressed.This separates the plate 102 which carries the sealing member 104 fromplate 99 and causes the suction cup 107 to be opened to the atmospherethrough opening 108 and the engagement between the suction cup 107 andthe lens is broken. Upon return of the operating shaft 98 towards lenspicking position, the control plate 102 is moved away from the adjustingscrew 97 and the spring 109 returns the parts to the position shown inFig. 16, closing the opening 108 by sealing member 104 and thus placingthe parts in proper position for the next lens picking operation.

As shown in Fig. 14, the clamping plate 100 has an inclined upper edge110 immediately below the suction cup 107. Below the clamping plate isan inclined lens receiving gutter 111 interposed between the chuck andthe mounting post 95. This gutter 111 is inclined downwardly into thetrough 56 as shown in Fig. 1, so that lenses released from the pickercup fall against the inclined surface and edge and roll therefrom intothe inclined gutter 111 from which they are discharged into the trough56 or to any other convenient location.

The lens picker operating shaft 98 is connected to a lever 112 which ispivoted to the piston rod 113 (Fig. 2) and when a lens is in properposition on the lens chuck 10 and the cup 107 is in engagement with thelens, the lever 112 is in the position shown in Fig. 10. However. if alens becomes stuck or is otherwise not properly fed onto the chuck, thepicker arm will swing through a greater are so that the cam-shaped end114 of the lever 112 will en age the control finger 115 of amicro-switch116 carried by the reservoir 11 and energize the same to cutoff current to the machine so that proper feeding may be restored.

Referring to the modification shown in Figs. 19 to 22 inclusive, thereis shown a rotary control arrangement for the lens feeding and for thestarting of a new cycle of operations which may be substituted for thereciproeating unit shown in Figs. 9, 11 and 12. the machine :eing in allother respects the same as that heretofore In the modified form, anelectric motor 117 is mounted on a bracket 118 clamped to the machinestandard 119.

Supported on the bracket 118 are spaced bearings 120 and 121 receivingtherein a cross shaft 122 carrying at one end thereof a pulley 123driven by a belt 124 trained therearound and around the pulley 125carried by the motor shaft 126.

Mounted on the cross shaft 122 are three angularly displacedmicro-switch operating cams 127, 128 and 129. A fourth operating cam 130is mounted on the cross shaft outboard of the bearing 121 and itcontrols an air valve in a manner which will be more fully describedhereinafter.

The motor 117 is arranged for continuous operation so long as thegenerating machine is in use. Rotation of the cross shaft 122 iscontrolled by means of a solenoid 131 which is electrically connected inthe operating circuit for the machine as will later appear.

The solenoid 131 is operative to impart reciprocating movement to acontrol rod 132 which, when the soleno is deenergized, has its free endpro ecting into the path of movement of a stop lug 133 projectmgfrom themner face of the pulley 123, thereby preventing rotation of the pulleyand consequently of the cross shaft 122. In this position, when the rod132 engages the lug, the belt 124 slips on thereto.

Any suitable mounting for the motor may be provided, but it should besuch that the weight of the motor keeps the belt 124 taut at all times.

Mounted in the path of movement of the cams 127, 128 and 129 are threemicro-switches 134. 135 and 136 and mounted in the path of movement ofthe cam is a control arm 137 for the air valve 138. The cam 127corresponds in function to tripper 80 of Figs. 9, 11, and 12 andcontrols micro-switch 136 which corresponds: in function to themicro-switch 77 of Figs. 9, 11 and 12. Cam 128 also corresponds infunction to tripper 80 tn its actuation of micro-switch 78, the earn 128actuat ng micro-switch 134, this switch corresponding in function tomicro-switch 78 of Figures 9, 11 and 12. Cam 129 corresponds in functionto tripper 81 and actuates mtcroswitch which corresponds in function toswitch 79 of Figs. 9, l1 and 12. The cam 130 actuates the con trol lever137 of the valve 138 and these elements correspond in function to thetripper 87 which actuates the control 88 of the air valve 89 of thepreviously described machine.

The solenoid 131 may be electrically controlled by the micro-switch 75shown in Fig. 13 and its tripper 94 so that upon upward movement of thelap spindle and the threaded rod 76', the solenoid 131 will bemomentarily energized and the rod 132 will be retracted away from thestop lug 133, thus permitting the pulley 123 to make a completerevolution. During this revolution, the cams 127 to 129 effect theiroperation in exactly the same manner as the corresponding trippers andmicro-switches as previously described. Such operation controls theactuation of the lens blank feeding mechanism as well as the initiationof a new cycle of operation of the machine.

The electrical circuits Referring to the wiring diagram of Fig. 18. itwill be noted that the electrical system includes a 6 volt source and a110 volt source. Included in the 110 volt circuit is an electric motor140 for driving the lower or lens chuck spindle and a motor 141 fordriving the upper or grinding spindle 12. The motor 140 is controlled bya relay 142, the energization of which is in turn controlled by a switch143 actuated by a cam 144. Switch 143 controls the supply of current torelay 142 from the 6 volt source through lead 145, the other side of therelay being directly connected to the source by a lead 146. Contact arm147 of relay 142 completes the circuit for the motor 140 from the 110volt source through lead 148, the other side of the motor beingconnected to the source by a lead 149. Motor 140 is intermittentlyoperated in accordance with the motion of control cam 144 which can beseen in Figure 2. This portion of the system forms part of thedisclosure of my application, Serial No. 301.334 previously referred to.

Motor 141 for rotating the grinding spindle is arranged for continuousoperation and is controlled by a starting switch 150 which connects oneside of motor 141 to the 110 volt source through leads 151 and 152, theother side of the motor being connected to the source by a lead 153.

The electrical controls for the magnetic valves 74 and 92 of the airmotor 70, the magnetic valves 85 and 86 of the air cylinder and pistonarrangement 23', and the magnetic valves 93 of the power unit 14 arealso shown in diagram formin Fig. 18. The system includes switch 116which is shown in detail in Fig. 10. This switch is normally closed, butis opened by a cam-shaped end 114 of lever 112 .if a lens becomes stuckor is otherwise not properly fed onto the lens chuck. Thus, switch 116which is in the 6 volt circuit, being connected through leads 154 and155, controls the supply of actuating voltage to all of the magneticvalves. preventing their actuation upon any failure of the lens feedingor picking mechanism.

When the machine is started up, the operator moves starting lever 15 toclose the switch associated therewith. This completes the circuit formagnetic valve 93 of power unit 14 through leads 156 and 157. the otherside of the pulley 123 and no motion is imparted the valve 93 isgrounded, com le the circuit from the 6 volt source through groun lea158. When power unit 14 is thus energized, grzndmg spindle 12 is loweredand grinding of a lens blank carried by the rotating lens chuck 10 iseffected. This lowering motion of the grinding spindle 12 continuesuntil switch 159 is actuated by an actuator 160 carried by the threadedrod 76' shown in Fig. 13 and diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 18 asdirectly actuated by power unit 14. Closing of switch 159 completes thecircuit for the other side of magnetic valve 93 and the motion of powerunit 14 is reversed to elevate the grinding spindle 12 and also thethreaded rod 76'. This circuit completion is through lead 161, thecontacts of switch 159 and lead 162. As upward motion of the lap spindleis effected, trip finger 94 (Fig. 13) closes switch 75 and the circuitfor magnetic valve 74 is completed through lead 163, contacts of switch75, and lead 164. This causes piston rod 72 (Fig. 9) to move to theright, first bringing tripper 80 into contact with control arm 82 ofswitch 77 and completing the circuit for magnetic valve 85 through lead165 (Fig. 18), contacts of switch 77, and lead 166. This controlsactuation of shuttle 22 to deliver a lens blank from the magazine to theposition shown in Fig. 3 for subsequent delivery to the lens chuck 10 bythe feeding fingers 35. As further movement of the piston rod 72continues (Figs. 9 and 18), tripper 80 will engage control 83 of switch78 and magnetic valve 86 will be energized through lead 165, contacts ofswitch 78 and lead 167. This controls actuation of shuttle 22 to retractit from the Fig. 3 position to its at rest position, ready to deliverthe next blank from the magazine.

This motion of piston rod 72 (to the right in Fig. 9) continues untiltripper 90 is brought into engagement with the control for switch 91,completing the circuit for magnetic valve 92 through lead 168, contactsof switch 91, and a lead 169, which reverses the motion of piston rod72. This return motion (to the left in Fig. 9) of piston 72 of air motor70, brings tripper 81 into engagement with control 84 of switch 79 whichcompletes the circuit for magnetic valve 93 through lead 155, contactsof switch 79 and leads 170 and 157, and since switch 79 is connected inparallel with the starting switch controlled by starting lever 15,closing of switch 79 operates automatically to initiate the starting ofa new cycle of operation of the machine in exactly the same manner asmanual starting with lever 15.

As the grinding spindle 12 moves upwardly, disengaging the lap from thelens blank being ground, the chuck spindle brake is operated to stoprotation thereof, after which the lens picker functions to remove thelens and drop it into the discharge gutter.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that all that is required of theoperator is to stack the lenses in the lens magazine, properly positionthis magazine with reference to the lens chuck, and then initiate theoperation of the machine by operation of the control lever of Fig. 1.Thereafter the operation is completely automatic.

'Ihe operation of grinding lenses is greatly facilitated and the speedwith which such operations may be accomplished is greatly increased overprior devices and accurate and reliable operation is provided.

This application is a continuation in part of my application Serial No.303,653 for Automatic Glass Generating Machine filed August 11, 1952,now abandoned.

What I claim is:

l. 'Ihe combination with a lens grinding machine having a lap spindlereciprocable axially toward and from a work carrying chuck, of a lensblank feeder positioned adjacent said lens chuck and having meansthereon engaging said lens blank and pushing the same onto said chuck,means carried by said spindle and movable therewith for controlling thefeeding of lens blanks to said chuck, said means being controlled bysaid lap spindle as it moves away from said chuck.

2. In a lens grinding machine having a rotating spindle carrying a lenschuck, an axially reciprocating grinding lap spindle having a lapthereon movable into and out of engagement with work on said chuck, abrake for arresting rotation of said chuck spindle, a lens picker forremoving a lens from said chuck, and automatic means for reciprocatingsaid lap spindle, operating the chuck spindle brake and picking a lensfrom said chuck by said adjacent said chuck including means for engagingsaid lens blank and pushing said lens blank onto said chuck, and meanscarried by the gnndmg spindle and movable therewith for initiatingoperation of the lens feeder only after a lens has been removed from thelens chuck.

3. In an automatic lens grinding machine, a rotating lens chuck, a lensblank feeder for feeding blanks onto said chuck, said feeder comprisinga magazine for receiving a stack of blanks therein, a reciprocatingshuttle beneath said magazine for engaging the lowermost blank in thestack and feeding it to a point adjacent said chuck, and reciprocatingfinger means for engaging the blank adjacent the chuck and moving itonto the chuck, said finger means pressing downwardly on said blank toforce the same into firm engagement with the chuck.

4. In an automatic lens grinding machine, a rotating lens chuck, a lensblank feeder for feeding lens blanks onto said chuck, said feedercomprising a magazine for receiving a stack of blanks therein, areciprocating shuttle beneath said magazine for engaging the lowermostblank in said stack and feeding it to a point adjacent said chuck, areciprocating pusher above said shuttle and having spring fingersthereon normally lying in the plane of the shuttle, said fingersengaging the blank when in position adjacent said chuck and moving thesame onto the chuck, means for moving said pusher along a path inclinedforwardly and downwardly with respect to said shuttle to exert downwardpressure on the blank and thereby force the blank axially of the chuck,and means carried by the shuttle for elevating the pusher out of thepath of movement of the shuttle to permit feeding of a blank intoposition forwardly of said spring fingers.

5. A lens blank feeder for automatic lens grinding i113 chinescomprising a supporting table, a lens blank magazine for receiving astack of lens blanks comprising a base having an opening therein throughwhich blanks may fall, guide posts extending upwardly from said base foraligning the blanks with said opening, and adjustable supporting feetcarried by said base and spacing the same from the table a distancesufiicient to permit a blank to pass therebetween, and spring meansconnecting the table and base for yieldingly holding the base on thetable whereby the base may rock relative to said table to permit feedingof a blank from the magazine.

6. A lens blank feeder for automatic lens grinding machines comprising asupporting table, a lens blank magazine for receiving a stack of lensblanks comprising a rectangular base having a central openingtherethrough, pairs of guide posts at the forward and rear edges of saidbase for aligning the blanks with said opening, pairs of adjustablesupporting feet extending below the forward and rear edges of said baseand spacing the base from the table, and a pair of springs connected tosaid table and to the forward pair of guide posts, whereby the forwardedge of the base may tilt upwardly about the fulcrum provided by therear pair of feet to permit blanks to be fed from the magazine.

7. A lens picker for picking ground lenses from a lens chuck comprisinga swinging arm having a vacuum cup thereon engageable with a lens on thechuck, a lens feeder,

electrically controlled means for said feeder, means for swinging saidarm toward and away from said chuck, and

' a switch in circuit with said electrically controlled means engageableby said means for swinging said arm when a lens is not on said chuck forbreaking the circuit and arresting operation of the lens feeder.

8. In an automatic lens grinding machine having a grinding spindle and alens chuck, a lens feeder for feeding lens blanks to said chuck,including a fluid operated shuttle, a fluid operated pusher, means foroperating said shutfle and pusher and control means for said operatingmeans, said control means comprising a motor, a member driven by saidmotor and having spaced cams thereon, switches carried by said machineand lying in the path of movement of certain of said earns, a valve forcontrolling fluid flow to said pusher and having a trip finger lying inthe path of movement of another of said cams, magnetic valves connectedto said switches and controlling the fluid flow to said shuttle, uponengagement of the cams with said switches and the valve trip fingercontrolling the flow of fluid to said pusher when engaged by its cam.

9. A machine as claimed in claim 8 in which the motor for the controlmeans is provided with a reciprocating picker in sequence, thecombination of a lens blank feeder piston rod and on which the cams areangularly displaced therearound, with the switches and valve trip fingerofiset to be engaged by the proper cam.

10. A machine as claimed in claim 8 in which the control means motor isa rotary motor, a cross shaft driven by said motor and having angularlydisplaced cams spaced therealong, with the switches and valve trip beingdisposed in the path of movement of their proper cam.

11. A machine as claimed in claim 8 in which the motor driven membercomprises a cross shaft provided with a pulley thereon, a stop lug onsaid pulley and projecting from one face thereof, a reciprocatingcontrol rod having its free end in the path of movement of said stop lugto arrest rotation of the pulley and a solenoid operable to retract saidcontrol rod to permit the pulley to drive the cross shaft.

12. A machine as claimed in claim 11 in which the solenoid is actuatedby movement of the grinding spindle away from the lens chuck. 13. Anautomatic lens grinding machine comprising a grinding lap and a lenschuck, automatic means for feeding lens blanks one at a time from a lensblank magazine onto said chuck, automatic means for removing the groundlens from the chuck, including gripping means engageable with a lens tobe removed and automatic mear' controlled for movement of said removingmeans to a predetermined position remote from said chuck forreeasingsaid lens from said lens gripping means.

14. A machine as claimed in claim 13 in which the lens removing meanscomprises a vacuum cup swingable into engagement with the lens on thechuck and swingable away from the chuck to remove the lens therefrom,and means for breaking the vacuum in said cup to release the lenstherefrom when the cup has swung out of the plane of the chuck.

15. A lens picker for lens grinding machines having a lens chuckcomprising a swinging arm carrying a suction cup at one end thereof,means for swinging said cup into engagement with a lens on said chuckand away from said chuck to remove the lens therefrom, said cup havingan opening therethrough, a control plate carried by said arm andcarrying a pad normally closing the opening through the cup, and a stopengageable by said control plate when the arm is swung away from thechuck to No references cited.

